Prevalence of ESBL-Producing Gram-Negative Bacteria Among Isolates Obtained from Fecal Samples of Outpatients of Nablus Area, West Bank-Palestine

Abstract

Extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)-producing bacteria are responsible for a considerable burden of difficult to treat infections in different regions of the world. This study was conducted to assess the prevalence, characterize the isolates, and assess the antibiotic susceptibility profiles of ESBL-producing bacteria in fecal samples of outpatients in Nablus, Palestine. The design of this study was a retrospective cross-sectional design, during which 161 Gram-negative bacterial isolates were obtained from the fecal samples of 268 outpatients et al.-Rahma Center, Rafidia Surgical Hospital, and Al-Watani Hospital. These bacterial isolates were identified previously as potential ESBL-producers and then were stored at − 8 0 °C. Out of these isolates 112 (41.7%) were phenotypically confirmed to be ESBL producers and their antibiotic-resistance profile were examined using the disk diffusion method. Female patients were 2.21-times more likely to test positive for ESBL-producing bacteria compared to male patients (95% CI 1.08–4.52) among the tested isolates. Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Klebsiella oxytoca were the most prevalent ESBL-producing bacteria.